A Questionable List

Many blogs publish their ‘Annual List’ around this time of year. Lists of most popular posts, site statistics, trending topics and so forth.

I wouldn’t wish to cheat you out of such a compulsory list. But if you subscribe to the newsletter, you will already have a pretty good idea of the trending items on my site in 2019. If not, here’s a

Spoiler

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

In all, I’m feeling a little rebellious. Not to publish such a list and still publish something worth reading on this last day of the year. Here are the options I think I have:

The Reversed List

The first idea is to present you with a list of articles that didn’t get many views. But wait. If you didn’t find or read them in the first place, why bother now? By encouraging you to click through, it would be a sneaky way of enhancing the stats for this post, right?!

Because I’m slightly miffed at the low statistics for this post, I’m giving you a spoiler anyway. IMHO this article has one of the funniest featured images of 2019. So, here here it is, but without the link so you won’t click through!

Spoiler

From Around the Web (73).

The ‘Missed Out On’ List

Another option is a list of news items that I totally overlooked. Ouch. Surely not? I kept track of my feeds so faithfully? No, sorry. Sadly. It happened.

I landed with both feet on the ground today when I realised I had overlooked a crucial item that could have been featured on The Viking Archive! How could I not have seen this? Was I sleeping under a rock? I have the Medievalists.net in my feeds, for goodness’ sake!

Spoiler

The Bayeux Tapestry was made to fit a certain part of Bayeux Cathedral.

The ‘Easy Way Out’ List

Busted! I discovered the spoiler in the previous paragraph, because I was reading annual lists from other blogs. Which briefly led me to consider giving you a list of all the best lists out there. And that would be the easy way out.

Now, with all viable options spoiled, I’m left with only one alternative.

A List of Questions

What did I learn this year?

So much! What an incredible amount of new discoveries! For decades no new boat burials were found, and now they pop up almost every month!

There have also been tough debates on big topics out there, that made me once more realise the worth and wisdom of giving each other the space to be curious about a topic, to ask questions, to take the time to absorb all sides of a discussion, and to learn, before reaching an informed opinion.

I’m sure there will be great new discoveries about the Viking Age in 2020 – but what happened to the discoveries made in recent years?

Hopefully, we’ll be hearing more about these. What have scholars and scientists found out after studying them in-depth for the past years? Will their research change our views or encourage new debates about Viking Age society? For example, the way the Birka warrior grave is doing right now?

Will the readership of The Viking Archive continue to grow in 2020?

I hope so! Because I see that not everyone is just passing by. A small, steadily growing number returns regularly and takes the time to read more articles. Can I just say to you readers out there: thank you. This encourages me to continue writing.

What do you hope to see or read in 2020 about the Viking Age?

This is probably the most important question! Would you like to see more big discoveries? Or big discussions? Is there anything you’d like to read more about on The Viking Archive? Let me know and leave a comment below!

Thank you for reading The Viking Archive this year and I wish you a happy and healthy 2020.